Combination automatic extender and recliner.



W. G. GLASSEN. COMBINATION AUTOMATIC EXTENDER AND RECLINER.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1908.

' W/T/VE88E8: 4 I I Mm I William afiliassm. Q I Q H ATTORNEY THE uumus PETERS co; \VASHINGTDN, n. c.

Patented J an. 26, 1909.

WILLIAM G. GLASSEN, OF SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN.

COMBINATION AUTOMATIC EXTENDEE AND EECLINER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 26, 1909.

Application filed March 16, 1908. Serial No. 21, 85.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it ltnown that l, VIILLIAM G. CLAssEN, of South Haven, county of Van Buren, State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Combination Automatic Extender and Recliner, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

This invention is an improved extender for use in applying traction to the human body to increase the height, correct improper postures, deformities, and abnormalities, combat the tendency to decline of stature and elasticity and mobility of the body and also for the treatment of certain diseases.

The said invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination automatic extender and recliner constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view, partly in section, of the pivoted frame. Fig. 3 is partly a detail elevation and partly a sectional view of one side of the pivoted frame.

In accordance with this invention, a stretcher bed or board 1 is provided, which is here shown as provided with supporting legs 2. At the foot of the board are loop straps 3, secured to the bed or board, and for the reception of the feet. On the sides of the bed or board are clamps a, each having a set screw 5, whereby said clamps may be detachably secured to the board and adjusted longitudinally thereon.

A frame 6 is pivotally connected to the clamps 4.. The said frame comprises a head portion 6 and side portions 7. The head portion has a central U-shaped bend 8, upwardly extending standards 9 which are bent from the sides thereof and doubled in inverted U-form, and side arms 10, which are parallel with each other. In practice the head may be made of tubing, as here inclicated, with its central and side portions connected together by couplings 11.

The side portions 7 of the frame are here shown as straight tubes, in the outer portions of which the arms 10 are telescopically fitted, so, that the said frame is longitudinally adjustable, as will be understood. Set screws 12 are rovided to clamp the side arms 10 in the tu ular side portions 7 at any desired adjustment. At the inner ends of the side portions 7 are return couplings 13, to which are secured outwardly extending pivots 14:, which have their bearings in openings in the upper portions of the clamps. ()n the side portions 7 are sleeves 15 to which are secured arms 16. The said sleeves are movable longitudinally and are also adapted to be turned on the side portions so that said arms 16 may be adjusted as may be required and may be turned either upwardly or downwardly from the said side portions of the pivoted frame. Set screws 17 are provided to clamp the said sleeves, and hence the said arms 16 at any desired adjustment.

A cloth may be secured to and stretched between the side pieces when desired. A suitable cloth may also be secured to and stretched across the bend 8 to support the head. A chin strap 19 is attached to one standard 9 and may be attached to and adjusted by a buckle 20 which is secured to the other standard.

In the use of the apparatus, the patient, who lies or reclines upon the bed or board has his feet engaged by the straps 3. The pivoted frame is adjusted longitudinally of the bed or board and fixed thereto at the proper place, according to the height of the patient and is raised and adjusted to the head of the patient so that the back of the head bears on the cloth which is stretched across the bend 8. The chin strap 19 is passed under the chin or lower jaw of the patient, adjusted and buckled and the arms 16 are adjusted on and fixed to the side portions 7 of the pivoted frame and caused to bear under the arms of the patient who preferably is required toclasp his hands together and rest them upon his body so as to gri the said arms 16 between his arms and his sides. The proper adjustment having been made, the patient then slowly assumes a recumbent position with the result that the angular movement of the pivoted frame causes his body to be stretched as will be understood. If the arms 16 are not to be used under the arms of the patient, they may be turned downwardly from the sides of the pivoted frame, out of the way.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. An extender of the class described c0mprising a bed, foot attaching means at one end thereof and a frame pivotally mounted on the b'ed for movement in a verticalplana, said frame having means for supporting thehead of the patient, beingalso provided Witha chin strap to pass under the chin or lower jaw of the patient and being further p1'o vided with means to engage the arms of the patient.

2. An extender of the class described com prising a bed, foot attaching devices at one end thereof and a frame pivotally mounted on the bed and having means for engaging I the hea'dof the patient and means to engage end thereof, clamps adjiistable longitudi nally on the sides of the bed, a frame pivotally connected to said clamps and comprising side portions and a head portion, said head ,port'ionhavingahead rest and means to engage the head of the patient and being longitudinally adjustable with reference to said side portions, and arms on said side portions, adjustable longitudinally thereof and having means to secure the same thereto.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand this'27-th day of January A. D. 1908 in the presence of two attesting Witnesses.

WILLIAM G. CLASSEN.

Witnesses:

CHAS. E. ABELL, ASHLEY B. RICE. 

